In the first edition of exclusive monthly interview, the JCIN-UI editorial board had an interesting tête-à-tête with Taiwo, the Director(one) of Induction, where we got to know more about her, the directorate and behind the scenes of first semester induction ceremony, how she’s been able to juggle JCI activities with academics, and everything in between.
EB: Kindly introduce yourself.
TO: I am Taiwo Odusote, a 400l student of Wildlife and Ecotourism Management.
EB:Finalist Ma. You’re about to leave us.
TO: Nah, it’s a five year course. I’m still here.
EB: Well well, that’s good. We gather deyyyy.
So, how’s your experience been as the director of induction for this LO year?
TO: Uhmm, it’s been an exciting experience to be the one to plan the JCIN UI Induction Ceremony but it honestly has also been so tasking.
EB: I can imagine. Would you like to share how it’s been tasking?
TO: The part of having to look for sponsors, keeping tabs on them not to forget you and your request, and running errands regarding other things necessary to put everything in place for the event.
EB: That must have been really tasking. So, how were you able to juggle planning for the induction ceremony with academics and other extracurricular activities?
TO: Oh well, I’m currently on my IT and I don’t have much school work to do but really, my IT itself is really demanding. I was just able to do all together through God and my ability to do a couple of things together.
EB: That’s good. So, aside JCI, you don’t have any other commitments?
TO: I do. I currently serve as the media personnel of the Biodiversity Conservation Club,UI; serve as a committee member of my department advisory team as well as my faculty social committee team.
EB: Capacity maa!!
TO: I’m also the class representative of my class and that’s so much of work on its own.
EB: I can relate because I know how well we disturb our class reps.
TO: Like, why are you asking these “yeye” questions.
EB: Your colleagues may read this oo.
TO: It’s okay.
EB: Did the whole induction process and ceremony come to pass as you had imagined?
TO: I’ll say largely yes and partly no. To justify my yes, I never wanted a situation where I’ve members or the executive members make a complaint to either my co-director and I saying “this and that” weren’t done but luckily, none of that happened and instead we got a lot of commendations which really made me feel so happy and proud of myself. I imagined a ceremony where the opening and closing ceremony speeches would be taken but sadly, that didn’t happen because of time. And even, we weren’t given a chance to give out gifts to some of the newly inducted members. We do hope for this not to happen during the second semester induction ceremony.
EB: Hopefully, all these will be achieved in the second semester Induction ceremony.
TO: Yeah, I do hope too.
EB: Was there any time you felt overwhelmed with the planning of the induction? If yes, what were your coping mechanisms?
TO :Yes, there was a time. I had to even write it in my notes that day. We have been planning for the induction ceremony without a budget for a venue and suddenly the directors of protocols reached out to me saying all venues are paid, we’ve to do something about that blah blah. I mentioned it to the LOP and his reply was it’s your event, look for a venue. At that moment, my head became hot😭
All of this happened on Tuesday the week before induction. I honestly felt really overwhelmed, I had to start reaching out to people and luckily, people came through for me which I was so glad about. Hmm, my coping mechanism majorly would be talking to someone actually.
EB: Whenever I am told something like “it’s your event/ directorate, sort it out” it always hits. I can relate.
Thank God for the gift of good people too.
TO: It honestly pushed me to do something asap argh!!
Yeah really, thank God for the gift of people. I realized the importance of keeping relationships with people.
EB: Your head became hot. Ohh chim!
TO: I swear, you needed to see me that day. Let me quickly go back to my notes to see what I wrote down.
“I had some last minute plans about the induction ceremony to make. It honestly wasn’t an easy one but what I realized was I can do it and I will do it. I’m enjoying the process, though stressful but I’m getting things done. I’m so grateful for the people around assisting me to get things done.”
EB: This is so nice and encouraging. Glad you were able to sail through.
TO: Thank you so much.
EB: So, in the spirit of celebrating good people. Make a shout out to the people who helped you in actualizing your plans for the induction ceremony, and ensured you saw it to the end.
TO: Okayyyy. A big shout out to the Local Organization President, Adeleke Rosheedah, Ameera Badmus, Ola-Stephen Favour and every member of the executive board for their support, my ever supportive committee members, directorates of growth and retention, content and publicity,and protocol, and my darling friends that were there to help me out and listen to my rants. A special shout out to my co-director; Taiwo Fakoya, we did it, we really did, all of our early morning talks and late night ones didn’t go in vain.
Special thanks to the immediate Past President; Ojo Waheed, Mariam Amuda, Agunbiade Quadri, Joshua Oludayo, Busoye Matthias, and Shobande Mosturah for being a one call away. A big big big shout to my Uncle Deji Odusote that was so supportive towards this event, my friends Bakre Tunmise and Mafe Jubril, my cousin Bro Mide Ogunsanya, JCIN UI alumni, JCIN Ambassadors that supported this event financially and saw to the success of the induction ceremony. And to our graphic designers that volunteered to help us with our graphics, unique media hub, marvelon and AK design, y’all are the best and you’re deeply appreciated.
EB: Awnn this is so nice. You no shout out to me?
I was cheering you on in spirit ooo. When your head was hot, I was the one cooling it down.
TO: Interesting.
EB: So, if you were to advise the next directors of induction, what would your advice be?
TO: They work hand in hand with the directorate of growth and retention in order to allow for early communication of the fees the intending members are expected to pay when they eventually scale through the recruitment process.
EB:How was your experience interviewing members?
TO: Exciting is one. I remember when I was being interviewed as an intending member. I had this chills like “oh, this is what it feels like to be the one interviewing intending members.”
EB:I know rightt. Hope your questions weren’t hard?
TO: Nahh.They were chilled.
EB: Good to know. So, Madam director, we’ve come to the end of our tête-à-tête. It was really nice talking with you.
TO: Thank you. I enjoyed it too.